Hokkaido Inu
Ainu-ken, Seta, Ainu dog, Hokkai dog or the Hokkaido Inu is a breed from Japan, which gets its name from a prefecture in the country. It is a faithful, docile and a bold breed.
Breed Profile
Height
18 - 20
Inches
Weight
45 - 65
Pounds
Life Span
12 – 15
Years
Health
health
Collie Eye Anomaly
What is it?
Collie Eye Anomaly or CEA as its commonly known as, is an inherited disease where the choroid, which is responsible to supply blood and nutrients to the retina, does not develop properly and remains thin. This results in defects in vision.
Clinical signs
Sunken eyeballs
Visibly small eyes
Signs of blindness like banging into objects
Treatment
Unfortunately, the cure for CEA in dogs hasn’t been developed yet. But there are surgeries available for cases where the retina has been detached or if there are holes in the layers of the eye. Laser surgery or cryotherapy are also other options available. Luckily, in most cases, the dog won’t loose complete vision.
Eligible vet bill
$1,000
*Hypothetical reimbursement examples illustrate reimbursement of an eligible vet bill at the noted reimbursement rate, assuming the annual deductible had already been satisfied and the annual coverage limit has not yet been met. Annual deductible, co-insurance, benefit and coverage limits, and exclusions may apply. Eligibility may vary. Visit https://www.spotpetinsurance.ca/sample-policy for full terms. For Canada enrollments only, reimbursement rate is based on the pet's age.
health
Hip Dysplasia
What is it?
As a result of poor joint development, hip joints become lax, eventually leading to arthritis.
Clinical signs
Lack of activity
A reduction in range of motion
Loss of thigh muscle
Treatment
Large breed dogs are often prone to Hip Dysplasia. Hip Dysplasia can also be developed due to genetics. Few treatment options are:
Joint supplements
Physical therapy
Total hip replacement surgery
Double or triple pelvic osteotomy
Femoral head ostectomy
Eligible vet bill
$3,500
*Hypothetical reimbursement examples illustrate reimbursement of an eligible vet bill at the noted reimbursement rate, assuming the annual deductible had already been satisfied and the annual coverage limit has not yet been met. Annual deductible, co-insurance, benefit and coverage limits, and exclusions may apply. Eligibility may vary. Visit https://www.spotpetinsurance.ca/sample-policy for full terms. For Canada enrollments only, reimbursement rate is based on the pet's age.
Personality
Bold
The breed has a personality of its own and are often found to be independent and bold
Intelligent
With a thing for problem solving, the Hokkaido Inu is quite intelligent and it will be visible in day-to-day activities as well
Docile
Despite the bold personalities, they do tend to listen to the instructions given by the owners
Lifetime Care
Coat
They have a double coat with the outside one being long and furry while the inside one being soft
Colors
Red, white, black, brindle, sesame, black and tan, and wolf-gray are all the colors available in the breed
Hypoallergenic
No
Grooming
Grooming a Hokaaido Inu won’t be a difficult task as they manage to clean themselves, plus the natural oils help the coat stay clean and dry even during unfavorable weather
Training
Being an active breed, they need physical stimulations like agility, rally, flyball, weight pull, lure coursing, dock diving, hiking, etc. The high intelligence and docile nature helps in making training easy for the owners.
Thomas W. Blakiston, an English zoologist, gave the breed its name in 1869. At one time it had almost gone into extinction and even today it remains one of the rare breeds of dogs with a population of around 10-12K in Japan and a very low count outside the country. It is also one of the oldest breeds of dogs in the native country.
Originally bred for hunting, these dogs have now become one of the most popular companions. It comes from the Japanese Spitz family, where the other members are Akita, Kai Ken, and Shiba Inu. Their brave and bold nature has earned them the pet name of ‘Bear dogs’.
Hokkaido Inu: Introduction to the Breed
Having its origins in Japan and coming from the Spitz family there, it does share the appearance with some other Japan-originated dog breeds. But there are some notable features, which include -
Muscular build
Small-pointy ears
Large paws
Thick and fluffy plumed tail, which is the signature feature here
Hokkaido Inu is best suited for:
First-time pet owners
Active families
Houses along with a small garden or an open space
Things to watch out for before deciding to own a Hokkaido Inu
They are a very rare breed and so it’s going to be difficult to find them, even in Japan. For this very reason, the price tag is going to be very high.
Grooming requirements are low in general but because of their long dense coat, the brushing will take up some time.
Being originated from Spitz's, it is prone to a few genetic disorders like CEA, hip or elbow dysplasia, luxating patella, etc.
You and your neighbors might hear a loud howl every once in a while, especially when the dog is excited and happy
Anxiety and idiopathic seizures are also a little common in this breed, along with psychogenic polydipsia.
The dog can be a little stubborn at times, owing to its independent nature.
What should a Hokkaido Inu eat?
As a pet owner, your responsibility is high towards maintaining a good diet for your dog as it will decide whether the dog will live a healthy life or not. In the case of Hokkaido Inu, one thing that you will have to keep a thorough watch on is over-eating. They tend to gain weight easily. Apart from this vet recommended dry puppy food given in 2-3 small meals instead of 1 big meal per day would do.
Conclusion
Hokkaido Inu is a beautiful family dog, who loves to stay and bond with humans. Affectionate, gentle, sociable, protective, etc. are all the traits that prove its popularity as a house pet. It is rare by population count and hence the breeder must be carefully selected. Once you own one of these, you won’t have to worry much about anything as these lively dogs will make you smile all the time.
Happy Mood and Health to your Doggo and lots of Love and Licks to you!